With Dick Durbin's retirement, where do Democrats go from here?

It has been nearly 30 years since Dick Durbin became an Illinois senator — a lifetime in American politics. But now, at age 80, he has spent 20 years as the Democrats' Senate whip, and his political career is nearing an end after announcing this week he will not seek reelection next year. The senator's looming departure comes at a pivotal time for Democrats. As the party looks ahead to the 2026 midterms, Durbin's retirement marks more than just the end of a political era.

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